The virus that has affected Macleod’s heart muscles struck a chord with Creaney whose own problems began eight days before Christmas in 2012.

He said: “I was playing for Dumbarton and the problem started on the day we faced Hamilton in a Scottish Cup tie.

“I started to suffer from chest pains. I thought it was a virus working through my system as I was taking dizzy turns and there were short and sharp pains.

“It was a Monday and I was at work when I felt the pains. I went straight to hospital for an X-ray and was told not to play that night.

“I was referred for a scan and it was identified that I had a leaking valve which is common in footballers.

“I spoke to Professor Stuart Hillis who works with the Scotland squad and he told me I would be okay to continue playing.

“I received a letter from the hospital to say my heart was normal but Professor Hillis sent me for an MRI scan at the Golden Jubilee Hospital.”

It was then Creaney’s world fell apart as he learned the full extent of his heart condition – and his first thought was of his mortality rather than when he would be able to kick a football again.

He said: “I went for my consultation and when I was told I had a hole in my heart my mind went blank.

“The doctor spoke for 10 minutes before hitting me with the killer line that I had a hole in my heart – it floored me.

“I wanted to know if the problem was life threatening. I then thought my career was done. It was a devastating thing to hear but the medical people tried to put me at ease.

“They said my heart was as healthy as the average person’s and I could get back playing as I waited for the operation but it would be up to the club as well.

“I spoke to the Alloa physio Niam Mohammed, the doctor Robert McElroy and Professor Hillis and they all couldn’t see why I couldn’t play on.

“It was down to me as to whether I continued playing. But it’s always in the back of mind that you never know what’s around the corner. I was conscious of my condition even though the experts said I shouldn’t be.

“It’s only natural that something like that knocks your confidence and you start to think something could go wrong. It makes you a bit paranoid but your heart isn’t something you mess about with.

“This has made me appreciate life. Football used to be everything but now it comes second. Life is too short and you need to be strong and make the most it.”

The drama that saw Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba fight for his life after being struck down with a heart problem in March 2012 was also on Creaney’s mind and he decided not to confide in any team-mates.

He said: “I thought a lot about what happened to Muamba who suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch against Tottenham. I thought about him when I first started suffering the chest pains.

“I tried to put it to the back of mind and kept it secret from the rest of the players. Only a few of the backroom staff knew.

“The physio didn’t think it would be wise to tell the players as it may cause a bit of a panic and affect how they were with me.”

Creaney also opted not to tell new Wasps boss Barry Smith as he tried to impress the former Dundee gaffer without any preferential treatment.

He said: “It was a full year before I received a date for the operation but before it arrived I didn’t want to tell the manager what was happening as I wanted to prove myself on an equal footing.

“When the date came through for the operation I explained everything and he has been brilliant. He told me to take my time and get back for next season.

“We decided to keep the details of my illness a secret and cover it up by saying I had an ankle problem but I’m glad I can now talk about it.

“I’ve had to call a halt to this season as I need to allow things to heal and if I get a bang then it would damage the tube which has been fitted.

“I watched a video of the operation which was amazing. They had to go through my groin and put a rod through my artery.

“Hopefully the next time I see a video of myself I’ll have a football at my feet.”